5 Steps to Surviving Your DUI Arrest in Orange County

1. Take a deep breath. You will get through this. The majority of people arrested for DUI haven't been in trouble with the law before. I have represented doctors, teachers, layers, firefighters and even police officers.

2. You or your attorney must request a DMV hearing within 10 calendar days of your arrest. If you fail to do so, you will be denied a hearing and your driver’s license will be suspended. If you request a hearing yourself, be sure to request a “stay” on the suspension pending the outcome of your hearing.

3. Decide whether or not to retain an attorney. Many people represent themselves or request a public defender. If this your first DUI arrest, your BAC was .10 or above, and the office had a valid reason to contact you, the result may be the same whether or not you retain an attorney. The benefit of retaining an attorney in this situation would be to save you the time and embarrassment of appearing in court and entering a plea in front of a judge and a courtroom full of people. This can be quite intimidating. People in that situation usually want their case handled quickly and quietly without them ever having to go to court. In most cases, this can be accomplished. If however this is at least your second DUI arrest in ten years, or you believe there are defenses in your case, you should seriously consider investing in an experienced DUI defense attorney.

4. Consult with several attorneys. Confirm that your attorney has experience defending DUI in Orange County. Be careful how much money you invest in your attorney. Some attorneys charge small fees, but have heavy caseloads and you may get lost in the shuffle as a result. Some attorneys charge very high fees based on the name on the door. Most likely, another, less experienced attorney will be representing you. Try to secure an attorney with reasonable fees and a manageable case load to ensure you receive competent, personalized counsel.
I offer a unique service, an arrest report review, for those people arrested for DUI that are considering representing themselves. For a significantly reduced fee, I will review your arrest report and offer guidance and advice on how to proceed with your case.

5. Be realistic. Most people in Orange County arrested for a DUI will be convicted. If this is your first conviction consider it an expensive lesson learned. If this is not your first DUI arrest you will most likely be facing jail time which increases with each additional arrest within a ten year period. If you fear that this won't be your last arrest, you may want to consider treatment options before you cause serious damage to yourself or others.